Savages

On the Canadian hard-rockers’ fifth album, Theory of a Deadman’s Tyler Connolly is still voicing his frustrations, from greed (see:<i>Savages’</i> title track, spiked with a sermon from Alice Cooper) to break-ups (“Salt in the Wound”). But <i>Savages</i> stretches that comfort zone: “Blow” laces sing-songy pop with subversive lyrics, while the Offspring-esque “World War Me” is answered by lovelorn ballad “In Ruins”. Most shocking—yet surprisingly successful—is “Livin’ My Life Like a Country Song”, a heartfelt genre homage laden with knowing references.